Chemical Composition: XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Leaded Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead
Other Elements: iron, arsenic
K. Eremin, January 2014
Technical Observations: The figure is a solid cast made in one piece by the lost-wax process. It was very cursorily modeled, and the forms are quite abstracted. The hair is represented by short, straight impressions that could have been made in the wax or metal. It is impossible to say much about the original state of the surface and any decoration because the piece is coated almost entirely with a thick black patina and tan opaque deposits, the latter of which also fills the recesses.
The presence of faceted areas is evidence that this surface covering has been shaved down, exposing a brown-gray metal, which is pitted in some areas and worn smooth to a chocolate brown in others. The figure is missing his proper right forearm and hand, the proper right foot, and the proper left leg below the knee. The endings of these mutilated extremities are worn, not jagged, so it is difficult to tell what caused the damage. Remains of glue, wood, and fibers surround the proper right ankle and are evidence that the piece was previously mounted to a wooden base.
Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2012)
